RANKING · 2020 CENSUS · 34 SHOWN OF 34

Most densely populated, Nebraska cities · 2020

Nebraska cities ranked by residents per square mile (2023). This list covers the 34 cities in Nebraska that qualify, ranked against each other statewide.

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SAME RANKING BYCounties States Metros

RELATEDLargest by population Fastest growing Fastest shrinking Most sparsely populated Best broadband access Worst broadband access

YEAR1990 2000 2010 2020 2025

RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOPULATION DENSITYVS 2000

01Chalco, NENE10,5954,116+3%

02Ralston, NENE6,3823,974+3%

03Omaha, NENE488,7973,399+25%

04La Vista, NENE16,5432,972+43%

05Lincoln, NENE301,5222,912+29%

06Bellevue, NENE64,8632,898+45%

07Fremont, NENE28,3502,470+8%

08Schuyler, NENE6,8002,394+22%

09Columbus, NENE25,2482,266+15%

10Kearney, NENE34,7822,257+23%

11South Sioux City, NENE14,1582,229+18%

12Scottsbluff, NENE14,2592,177−2%

13Wayne, NENE6,3382,055+7%

14Lexington, NENE11,1762,039+3%

15Papillion, NENE25,1272,017+48%

16Plattsmouth, NENE6,9551,973−5%

17Crete, NENE7,7471,803+18%

18Grand Island, NENE53,9431,764+24%

19Seward, NENE7,8921,739+21%

20North Platte, NENE22,5241,711−2%

21Hastings, NENE25,1211,691+5%

22Alliance, NENE7,9141,666−9%

23Wahoo, NENE5,0231,644+22%

24Gering, NENE8,5351,543+10%

25Nebraska City, NENE7,5121,452−0%

26Blair, NENE7,9971,414+4%

27Norfolk, NENE26,6771,375+6%

28McCook, NENE7,1571,364−7%

29Offutt AFB, NENE6,0741,353−40%

30Holdrege, NENE5,5551,303−2%

31Beatrice, NENE12,3181,295−2%

32York, NENE8,2841,236−0%

33Sidney, NENE6,432856+2%

34Gretna, NENE9,207731+116%

SHOWING 1–34 OF 34

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UPDATED 2026-06-02 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR ESTIMATES